8-Day Japan Itinerary from Denpasar: Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto

Arrival and Transfer

After the Denpasar–Tokyo flight, allow roughly 60–90 minutes at Haneda Airport for immigration, baggage, and customs; Narita Airport can take longer. From Haneda, the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail reaches central Tokyo in about 30–40 minutes, while Narita is around 60–90 minutes by Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner. An airport limousine bus is easier with large luggage, especially if your hotel is near a major stop. Use an IC card such as Suica or PASMO for local trains, and keep the afternoon gentle after the overnight journey.

Late Afternoon in Asakusa

Once checked in or after leaving bags at the hotel, head to Senso-ji in Asakusa, ideally around 3:30–4:00 PM when the crowds begin to thin and the temple buildings look beautiful in the softer light. Walk through Nakamise Shopping Street toward the main hall, allowing about 1½ hours for the temple grounds, side lanes, and a first taste of traditional snacks. The grounds are always accessible, though the main hall generally closes in the early evening; admission is free. From the temple, it is only a few minutes on foot to Hoppy Street, where the atmosphere is casual and lively. Settle into one of the small izakaya for yakitori, stewed dishes, and the local hoppy drink; budget approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person, and expect some restaurants to have a small table charge or cash-only policy.

Evening View

After dinner, walk or take the short Tobu or Tokyo Metro connection toward Tokyo Skytree—from Asakusa, the walk takes about 20–25 minutes, while the train is quicker if your legs are tired. Visit the observation decks for approximately 1½ hours; reserve a timed ticket in advance, particularly for a clear November evening, as sunset slots can sell out. The complex usually remains open until around 9:00 PM, with final admission earlier, but check the official schedule for your date. Keep the first night flexible: after Tokyo Skytree, return directly to the hotel rather than adding another neighborhood, since jet lag and the airport transfer will make this a long arrival day.

Morning: Meiji Jingu and Harajuku

Start around 8:30 AM at Meiji Jingu, entering through the broad, cedar-lined approach from Harajuku Station. The shrine grounds open from sunrise until around sunset, and arriving early makes the walk noticeably calmer before the day’s crowds. Allow about 1½ hours to reach the main shrine, see the sake-barrel displays, and pause in the forest. Admission to the shrine grounds is free; wear comfortable shoes, as the gravel paths are lengthy.

Continue to Takeshita Street for an hour of browsing boutiques, character goods, and oversized crepes or rainbow-colored sweets. Most shops open around 10:00–11:00 AM, so this timing works well after the shrine. From there, walk south toward Omotesando, following the contrast from Harajuku’s youthful, busy lanes to the tree-lined avenue’s polished architecture and designer stores. The stroll takes roughly 15 minutes, and you can keep it relaxed rather than treating the boutiques as a checklist.

Lunch: Tsukiji Outer Market

Take the Tokyo Metro from Omote-sando Station toward Tsukiji Station—typically about 20–25 minutes including the transfer and walk—or use a taxi if you want to save your legs, usually around ¥2,000–3,000 depending on traffic. Explore Tsukiji Outer Market for about 1½ hours, sampling sushi, grilled seafood, and tamagoyaki from the small specialist stalls. Aim to arrive by early afternoon, as many vendors begin closing by 2:00–3:00 PM; ¥2,000–4,000 per person is a sensible lunch budget. Keep bags compact in the narrow lanes and avoid eating while walking in the busiest sections.

Afternoon or Evening: teamLab Borderless

Finish at teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills, reached from Tsukiji Station via the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and a short walk, generally 20–25 minutes. Allow around two hours for the rooms, where the artworks shift across walls and floors and paths are intentionally easy to lose. Timed admission is required, so reserve in advance through the official ticket site; prices vary by date but are commonly around ¥3,800–4,800 per adult. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and avoid bringing bulky luggage—there are areas where you may need to step carefully or sit on the floor. Afterward, Azabudai Hills has convenient restaurants and cafés for an unhurried dinner.

Morning: Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Shibuya Sky

Begin around 9:00 AM at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, ideally watching from street level before the busiest commuter rush has fully built up. The nearby Shibuya Station area is easy to navigate but spread across several buildings, so allow a few minutes to find the correct exit. Continue to Shibuya Sky at Shibuya Scramble Square for a 1½-hour panorama over Tokyo; reserve a timed entry online in advance, especially for clear autumn days. The rooftop is generally open from around 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM, weather permitting, with admission typically around ¥2,000–2,500 per adult. Keep your ticket time in mind, as rooftop access can be restricted during strong wind or rain.

Late Morning and Afternoon: Daikanyama T-SITE and Nezu Museum

From Shibuya, walk or take the Tokyu Toyoko Line one stop to Daikanyama—walking takes roughly 15–20 minutes and is more pleasant if the weather is good. Spend about an hour at Daikanyama T-SITE, a stylish complex of bookstores, design shops, and cafés; the main bookstore usually opens around 9:00 AM, making it a relaxed place to browse rather than a rushed attraction. Then take the Toyoko Line toward Nakameguro and continue by taxi, or use a taxi directly from Daikanyama, allowing about 15 minutes depending on traffic, to Nezu Museum in Aoyama. The museum’s galleries and garden make a peaceful contrast to Shibuya, but it is typically closed on Mondays and often closes around 5:00 PM, with last admission about 30 minutes earlier; admission is usually around ¥1,500–1,800. Check the exhibition calendar before setting out, and leave at least 90 minutes for the art and garden paths.

Evening: Maisen Aoyama

Finish at Maisen Aoyama, about a 10-minute walk from Nezu Museum toward Omotesando. This well-known tonkatsu restaurant occupies a converted bathhouse, and the atmosphere is casual enough for an early dinner while still feeling distinctly local. Expect roughly ¥2,000–4,000 per person; arrive around 5:30–6:00 PM to avoid the longer dinner queue, as reservations may be limited. Afterward, Omotesando is an easy stroll for a few illuminated shopfronts before returning by Tokyo Metro from Omotesando Station or Shibuya Station.

Late Morning: Osaka Castle

After arriving at Shin-Osaka, allow about 30–40 minutes to reach Osaka Castle by the Osaka Metro or JR lines, then leave your bags at the hotel or a station locker before sightseeing. Spend roughly two hours around the castle grounds and museum; the main tower is generally open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with last admission around 4:30 PM, and admission is approximately ¥1,200. The exterior views from Nishinomaru Garden are especially good in late November, when the autumn color is often at its best. The grounds are spacious, so comfortable shoes matter.

Lunch: Kuromon Ichiba Market

From Osaka Castle, take the Osaka Metro to Nippombashi—about 25–30 minutes—and walk into Kuromon Ichiba Market for a relaxed lunch. Give yourselves around 1½ hours to graze rather than choosing one formal restaurant: look for grilled scallops, tuna, oysters, wagyu skewers, and freshly made fruit sweets. Budget approximately ¥1,500–3,500 per person, and carry cash as some smaller stalls may not accept cards. The market is busiest around lunchtime, so keep bags close and avoid blocking the narrow central walkway while eating.

Afternoon and Evening: Hozenji Yokocho and Dotonbori

A 10-minute walk from Kuromon Ichiba brings you into Hozenji Yokocho, a compact stone-paved lane tucked behind Namba. Spend about 45 minutes wandering its lantern-lit alleys and visiting the moss-covered Hozenji statue; this is a quiet contrast to the surrounding entertainment district. Continue on foot to Dotonbori, where the neon signs and canal promenade make an easy two-hour finale. Try takoyaki or okonomiyaki at a busy counter-style shop—Aizuya is a respected takoyaki choice, while Mizuno is a long-standing okonomiyaki institution, though queues can be substantial. Allow ¥1,500–3,500 per person for dinner, and expect the area to be lively well into the evening.

Morning: Nara Park and Todai-ji

Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Osaka-Namba around 8:00 AM to Kintetsu-Nara; the journey takes roughly 40–45 minutes. Buy tickets at the station or reserve online, and use the coin lockers at Kintetsu-Nara Station if you have luggage. From the station, it is about a 15-minute walk to Nara Park, where you can spend around 90 minutes strolling among the free-roaming deer. Deer crackers cost about ¥200 per stack; feed them carefully, bow when they bow, and hide any paper maps or food once the crackers are gone.

Continue on foot through the park to Todai-ji, roughly 15 minutes away. The Great Buddha Hall is one of Nara’s essential sights, and arriving before late morning helps avoid the largest tour groups. Allow about 1½ hours, including the temple approach and grounds; admission is generally around ¥800, with opening hours typically from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, though seasonal closing times vary. Keep the walk relaxed—this area is much more enjoyable when you pause beneath the old trees rather than trying to rush between gates.

Afternoon: Kasuga Taisha and Naramachi

From Todai-ji, walk or take a short taxi ride toward Kasuga Taisha, allowing about 20–30 minutes depending on your route. Follow the shaded, lantern-lined forest approach into the shrine grounds and spend roughly 1½ hours here. The main shrine area usually opens from around 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with seasonal variations; the paid inner areas cost approximately ¥500, while much of the approach and outer grounds can be visited freely. Wear comfortable shoes, as the paths are uneven and the forest can feel damp even on a bright day.

Head back toward Naramachi—around 25 minutes on foot—for Nakatanidou. Try to arrive near a scheduled mochi-pounding demonstration, although timings are irregular; a freshly pounded kusa-mochi or yomogi-mochi makes an excellent ¥200–400 snack. Finish at Edogawa Naramachi, a traditional eel restaurant in the old town, for unagi or a Japanese set meal. Expect about ¥2,000–4,000 per person, and allow an hour; dinner service and popular lunch periods can fill quickly, so check same-day hours or ask your hotel to call. From Naramachi, Kintetsu-Nara Station is roughly a 15-minute walk for the return train to Osaka.

Morning: Fushimi Inari Taisha and Tōfuku-ji

Take the Kintetsu Railway from Kintetsu-Nara to Kyoto around 7:30 AM; the journey takes approximately 45–55 minutes. Leave your luggage at your hotel or in the lockers at Kyoto Station, then continue by JR Nara Line to Inari Station—the shrine entrance is directly outside. Spend about two hours at Fushimi Inari Taisha, walking beneath the vermilion torii gates toward the quieter forested slopes. The lower shrine area becomes busy quickly, so an early arrival is worthwhile; the grounds are open at all times and there is no admission fee.

From Fushimi Inari, take the JR Nara Line one stop to Tōfuku-ji Station, followed by a short walk to Tōfuku-ji. Allow around 1½ hours for the temple precinct and its famous Tsūtenkyō Bridge, particularly beautiful during late-November autumn colors. The main temple grounds are generally open from about 9:00 AM, with seasonal hours and admission—often around ¥500–¥1,000—varying by garden or viewing area. Expect queues around the bridge in peak foliage season, so take your time in the quieter temple lanes as well.

Afternoon: Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama

After a simple lunch near Tōfuku-ji Station, take a Kyoto City Bus toward Kiyomizu-michi or Gojozaka; allow roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic, then walk uphill for 10–15 minutes to Kiyomizu-dera. Spend about two hours exploring the wooden stage, hillside pagodas, and viewpoints across eastern Kyoto. The temple usually opens from 6:00 AM, while closing time is commonly around 6:00 PM, with seasonal evening illuminations sometimes extending the hours; admission is typically about ¥400–¥500. Wear comfortable shoes—the approach is steep and crowded, especially during the autumn season.

Evening: Izuju and the preserved lanes

Walk downhill through Higashiyama toward Gion, stopping at Izuju near Yasaka Shrine for Kyoto-style saba sushi. This long-established restaurant is a good place to try the city’s pressed sushi, with a meal generally costing around ¥3,000–¥5,000 per person; check its current closing day and last seating before setting out, as hours can be limited. After dinner, wander through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, when the crowds thin and the traditional wooden facades are softly lit. Shops often close by early evening, but the lanes themselves are free to explore—keep voices low and avoid photographing residents’ entrances.

Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji

Start around 7:30 AM in Arashiyama, when the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is at its most peaceful. Walk for about an hour beneath the towering bamboo, entering from the Nomiya Shrine side and continuing uphill toward Ōkōchi Sansō. The grove itself is free, though the surrounding paths become crowded from mid-morning. Continue to Tenryu-ji, which generally opens at 8:30 AM; allow 60–90 minutes for its temple buildings and beautifully framed Sogenchi Garden. Entry is approximately ¥500 for the garden, with an additional fee for the buildings. Wear comfortable shoes, as the temple grounds and later railway platforms involve plenty of walking.

Late Morning and Afternoon: Togetsukyo Bridge and the Sagano Romantic Train

Walk south toward Togetsukyo Bridge, taking around 15 minutes from Tenryu-ji. Spend roughly 45 minutes along the riverbank, where the mountains are especially attractive in late November foliage. For the Sagano Romantic Train, walk or take a short taxi to Saga-Toriimoto Station—check your reserved ticket carefully, as the train departs from Saga-Arashiyama Station for some services and runs toward Torokko-Kameoka Station. Reserve seats in advance through the official ticket channels or major JR ticket offices; fares are about ¥880 each way, and the full experience takes around 2.5 hours including the train, transfer, and return to central Kyoto. The open-sided cars can be cold, so bring a warm layer. From Torokko-Kameoka, use the connecting JR service from Umahori Station back toward Kyoto, rather than relying on a taxi during the busy autumn season.

Evening: Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley

Return to central Kyoto and head to Nishiki Market for an early dinner or extended snack stop. Most stalls operate roughly 10:00 AM–5:30 or 6:00 PM, so aim to arrive by 4:30 PM; sample Kyoto pickles, sesame sweets, tofu products, grilled seafood, and tamagoyaki, budgeting around ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Follow the covered arcade west toward Teramachi and Shinkyogoku, then walk south to Pontocho Alley for dinner. The narrow lane is atmospheric after dark, but many restaurants are small and reservation-only; expect approximately ¥4,000–8,000 per person, with higher prices for riverside or kaiseki-style venues. For an easy return, Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station is nearby, with trains connecting back toward most Kyoto hotels.

Morning: Final breakfast and checkout

Allow about an hour at Kyoto Station for breakfast, checkout, and collecting your luggage. If you are staying nearby, a convenient option is Kurasu Kyoto, a compact specialty-coffee shop close to the central exit; for a quicker Japanese breakfast, the station’s Porta underground dining area has rice, grilled fish, and noodle sets from roughly ¥700–1,500. Keep your bags with you if your accommodation is within easy walking distance; otherwise, use the staffed baggage counters or coin lockers around Kyoto Station, checking size and availability before heading upstairs.

Final view: Kyoto Station Skyway

Before leaving, take the Kyoto Station Skyway, a free glass-sided walkway reached by the long escalators in the station’s upper levels. Allow around 30 minutes for the elevated views over Kyoto Station, the southern cityscape, and the surrounding mountains. It is a good last stop because you remain inside the departure complex—avoid going far across town today, especially with luggage. The station itself opens early, although individual shops and cafés generally begin operating from around 7:00–10:00 AM.

Afternoon: Journey to Denpasar

For Kansai International Airport, take the JR Haruka Limited Express from Kyoto Station. The direct ride to the airport takes approximately 75 minutes, with trains generally running every 30 minutes; allow extra time to reach the correct platform, load luggage, and handle any delays. Leave Kyoto Station roughly 3.5–4 hours before your flight, particularly if checking bags or travelling during a busy holiday period. At Kansai International Airport, complete airline check-in and security before immigration; international departures can require considerable walking between the station, check-in counters, and gates. A reloadable ICOCA card works for much of the local transit, while the Haruka fare can be bought at the station or through JR West’s reservation channels.